Production Increases 14%
Toronto, Ontario, August 1, 2007 - Kinross Gold
Corporation (TSX-K; NYSE-KGC) ("Kinross", "Kinross Gold" or the
"Company"), today announced its unaudited results for the three and
six months ended June 30, 2007.
Second Quarter Highlights
• Production was 439,783 gold equivalent ounces in the second
quarter of 2007, 14% above the second quarter of 2006 and the
Company is on track to meet full-year guidance for 2007 of
approximately 1.65 million gold equivalent ounces.
• Revenue was $290.1 million in the second quarter, a 15%
increase over the same period last year, and the average realized
gold price was $662 per ounce sold.
• Cost of sales per ounce(1) was $348 in the second
quarter on sales of 438,549 gold equivalent ounces compared with
cost of sales per ounce of $311 on sales of 403,507 gold equivalent
ounces in the second quarter of 2006 and the Company is on track to
meet its full-year guidance of $330 - $340 per ounce. Cost of sales
per ounce would have been $332 before factoring in the impact of
fair value accounting on the acquired bullion inventory of the Bema
properties.
• Net earnings for the second quarter were $53.0 million, or
$0.09 per share, compared with net earnings of $65.6 million, or
$0.19 per share, in the same period last year.
• Cash flow from operating activities was $94.5 million in the
second quarter of 2007 compared to $94.9 million for the
corresponding period in 2006. The cash position was $244.4 million
at June 30, 2007 compared to $154.1 million at December 31, 2006
and total debt was $460.1 million at June 30, 2007 compared to
$89.9 million at December 31, 2006.
• Capital expenditures totaled $161.3 million in the second
quarter, primarily at the Paracatu expansion, Kupol and Kettle
River - Buckhorn projects. Capital expenditures for 2007, including
the assets acquired in the Bema transaction, are expected to be
$660 million, an increase of $210 million from previous
Kinross-only guidance of $450 million.
• Construction at the Kupol and Paracatu projects is on
schedule to commence production in mid-2008, while Buckhorn is now
expected to come into production in the second half of 2008. The
Company remains on track to meet its previously announced
production guidance of 2.1 to 2.2 million ounces in 2008 and 2.6 to
2.7 million ounces in 2009.
(1) Cost of sales per ounce is defined as cost of sales as
per the financial statements divided by the number of gold
equivalent ounces sold.
CEO commentary
Tye Burt, Kinross President and CEO, made the following comments in
relation to the second quarter 2007 results:
"We are pleased to record another excellent quarter, consistent
with our previous guidance for 2007. We continue to get strong
production from our operations, and with the Bema acquisition
complete, we are firing on all cylinders and striving to maximize
production and margins in a strong gold market.
"Like all producers we face pressures from the rising cost of
energy, labour, freight and transportation, equipment and
consumables, plus in some cases unfavourable exchange rates.
However, we continue to focus strongly on cost control as a core
part of the Kinross culture.
"Kinross continues to have one of the best growth profiles in the
gold industry with three major projects in development, which will
increase our production by 60 per cent over the next two years,
while reducing costs.
"We have made excellent progress on our Paracatu, Kupol and
Buckhorn construction projects. Paracatu and Kupol are expected to
begin production mid-2008 as planned enabling Kinross to boost
production to between 2.1 to 2.2 million ounces next year. Buckhorn
production is expected to be delayed until the second half of next
year as we work through issues related to permit appeals.
"With a great portfolio of existing mines, one of the best
short-term growth profiles of any major producer, and a growing
reserve base with excellent prospects for future development,
Kinross continues to occupy a unique position in the sweet spot of
today's gold industry."
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PDF for the full version of this news release.
Click here to download
the Q3 2007 report (PDF).
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this news release, including any information as to the future financial or operating performance of Kinross, constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the “safe harbour” provisions of the Securities Act (Ontario) and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements with respect to the future price of gold and silver, the estimation of mineral reserves and resources, the realization of mineral reserve and resource estimates, the timing and amount of estimated future production, costs of production, expected capital expenditures, costs and timing of the development of new deposits, success of exploration activities, permitting time lines, currency fluctuations, requirements for additional capital, government regulation of mining operations, environmental risks, unanticipated reclamation expenses, title disputes or claims and limitations on insurance coverage. The words “plans,” “expects,” or “does not expect,” “is expected,” “budget,” “scheduled,” “estimates,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “anticipates,” or “does not anticipate,” or “believes,” or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results “may,” “could,” “would,” “might,” or “will be taken,” “occur” or “be achieved” and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Kinross as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. The estimates and assumptions of Kinross contained in this news release, which may prove to be incorrect, include, but are not limited to, the various assumptions set forth herein and in our management’s discussion and analysis as well as: (1) there being no significant disruptions affecting operations, whether due to labour disruptions, supply disruptions, damage to equipment or otherwise; (2) permitting development and expansion at Paracatu proceeding on a basis consistent with our current expectations; (3) permitting and development at the Kettle River - Buckhorn project proceeding on a basis consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (4) permitting and development of the Phase 7 pit expansion and the heap leach project at Fort Knox proceeding on a basis consistent with Kinross’ current expectations; (5) that a long-term lease replacing the short term lease for the Kupol gold and silver project lands, and construction permits required from time to time, will be obtained from the Russian authorities on a basis consistent with our current expectations; (6) that the exchange rate between the Canadian dollar, Brazilian real, Chilean peso, Russian ruble and the U.S. dollar will be approximately consistent with current levels; (7) certain price assumptions for gold and silver; (8) prices for natural gas, fuel oil, electricity and other key supplies remaining consistent with current levels; (9) production forecasts meet expectations; (10) the accuracy of our current mineral reserve and mineral resource estimates. Known and unknown factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: fluctuations in the currency markets; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold or certain other commodities (such as diesel fuel and electricity); changes in interest rates or gold lease rates that could impact the mark-to-market value of outstanding derivative instruments and ongoing payments/receipts under any interest rate swaps and variable rate debt obligations; risks arising from holding derivative instruments (such as credit risk, market liquidity risk and mark-to-market risk); changes in national and local government legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada, the United States, Chile, Brazil, Russia or other countries in which we do or may carry on business in the future; business opportunities that may be presented to, or pursued by, us; our ability to successfully integrate acquisitions, including the Bema acquisition; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations; the speculative nature of gold exploration and development, including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits; diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; adverse changes in our credit rating; and contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties. In addition, there are risks and hazards associated with the business of gold exploration, development and mining, including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins, flooding and gold bullion losses (and the risk of inadequate insurance, or inability to obtain insurance, to cover these risks). Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can affect Kinross’ actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements made by, or on behalf of, Kinross. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. All of the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements, those made in the “Risk Analysis” section of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis, and those made in the “Risk Factors” section of our most recent Annual Information Form and other filings with the securities regulators of Canada and the U.S . These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Kinross. Kinross disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.
The technical information about the Company’s material mineral properties contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of Mr. Rob Henderson an officer of the Company who is a “qualified person” within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101.
Key sensitivities
Approximately 55%-60% of our costs are denominated in U.S. dollars.
A 10% change in foreign exchange could result in an approximate $13 impact in cost of sales per ounce.
A $10 change in the price of oil could result in an approximate $4 impact on cost of sales per ounce.